Although billed as a crossover, the CrossPolo is essentially a lifted Polo hatchback, blessed with extra ground clearance and some rugged styling. Black body cladding was added to the car’s lower portions, highlighted by silver accents on the front and rear fascia that are designed to resemble skid plates. Inside, the two-tone interior receives black webbed seat inserts, along with “CrossPolo” logos embroidered into the seatbacks.

Buyers will have their choice of six engines — a plentiful variety, although one engine shy of the mixture offered in normal Polos. The engine lineup ranges in power between 68 and 105 horsepower, and offers both gasoline and diesel variants. The previous base 58-horsepower, 1.2-liter I-4 has been dropped, as well as the five-speed manual transmission. All CrossPolos are equipped with a six-speed manual as standard equipment, although a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional.

VW‘s new CrossPolo will be unveiled in the first week of March, but sales in Germany won’t begin until the end of May. Other European markets, along with Japan, will receive the car shortly afterward.